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About the Colorado Department of Education (CDE)

As a dynamic service agency, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support and accountability to the state’s 178 school districts, 1,818 schools, close to 50,000 teachers and over 2800 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state’s approximately 860,000 public school students. CDE also provides services and support to boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), early learning centers, state correctional schools, facility schools, the state’s libraries, adult/family literacy centers, and General Education Development (GED) testing centers reaching learners of all ages. CDE operates the Colorado Talking Book Library which provides supports for people who have vision, print, and reading disabilities. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data. CDE serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting the public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

Every student, every step of the way.

Vision

All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens capable of succeeding in society, the workforce, and life.

Mission

The mission of the Colorado Department of Education is to ensure that all students are prepared for success in society, work, and life by providing excellent leadership, service, and support to schools, districts, and communities across the state.

Fact Sheets and FAQs

These short documents provide a high level understanding on many hot topics around Colorado’s education system. You may download the PDFs, save them to your computer or print them off and share with colleagues.

Performance Plan

Our Brand: The CDE Shield

The shield symbol concept for CDE was developed with consideration of the department's vision, mission, goals and input received from staff. The most prominent of these ideas were next generation symbols and the idea of growth and achievement.

The star symbol was chosen because it signifies a high standard, achievement and aspiration. The star is a timeless symbol that inspires exploration and innovation.

The upward lines add a dynamic quality that communicates forward movement and supports the idea that education is boundless. Education doesn’t end with a diploma; it creates a path for lifelong learning.